Shimla water crisis: Tourist-packed hotels scramble for water as supplies drop sharply

This summer, extreme heat waves have gripped India’s north west region, even exacerbating an acute water crisis in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in Shimla, due to a lack of rainfall and the drying up of water sources. Shimla, which typically requires 43 million litres per day (MLD) of water, is currently receiving only about 30 MLD, forcing municipal authorities to ration the supply to once every 3-4 days. The demand for water peaks at around 48 MLD during the summer tourist season.The influx of tourists has significantly increased water consumption. Shimla boasts 276 registered hotels and numerous unregistered accommodations, along with an estimated 963 Airbnbs and homestays. To meet the high demand, hotels resort to purchasing water…